Broadcast on 17-Nov-2008

This is some of the best live music ever recorded....fresh and raw...vital with a street sense that is lacking in much of today's Jazz. This music is the real deal! The great drummer,Art Blakey was the virtual 'house' drummer at Birdland in New York...."The Jazz Corner of the World"....Blakey played and backed everyone of importance. He occasionally was asked to put together a band himself and this is what happened here. Blakey brought in the young 23 year old trumpet sensation, Clifford Brown, along with Lou Donaldson on alto saxophone plus Horace Silver on piano and Dillon 'Curly" Russell on bass. Shortly into their two week gig, Blue Note captured this group on the night of February 21, 1954 and released two volumes of spirited music that combines swing and the energy of the streets of New York. Years later more music from this date was discovered and eventually released on two CD's.....this is classic and timeless music.